President Goodluck Jonathan has assured pensioners and veterans of the Nigerian Army of his administration's commitment to ensuring that all contentious issues associated with their pensions and gratuities are resolved.

He gave this assurance at the launch of the Armed Forces Appeal Fund Emblem held at the Defence College on Thursday.

Jonathan said resolving all pending issues was the best way the government could show appreciation and reciprocate their good works.

He also assured them that the Federal Government will demonstrate its commitment by signing the Contributory Pension Scheme into law once the National Assembly concludes its work on it.

Jonathan charged Nigerians to support these legends through generous donations that will complement the government's efforts.

"This is with a view to providing specialised pensions administration for the armed forces, in order to make them continue rendering efficient services to the entire military personnel," he said.

"I am aware that the Commonwealth and other nations celebrate this on the 11th day of November every year when governments and the armed forces mourn soldiers who died during the Second World War and other operations around the world. As a nation, we chose to celebrate our own on the 15th of January,” Jonathan said.

"It is a worthy cause and a befitting legacy when we celebrate our soldiers. It is therefore a sober period when we remember our departed heroes, when we appreciate their sacrifice in making us all enjoy the peace, stability and comfort we enjoy today."

Jonathan further assured them of his resolve to effectively reposition the agency as an instrument in improving the lives of ex-servicemen and women.

"Consequently, I implore all ex-service personnel to join the legion in order to achieve a unified purpose. It is in this light that I equally call on all the Executive Governors, being the patrons of Legions in their respective the states, to give adequate support to the Legions in their domains.

“The Legion is not a political association, I therefore trust that the state patrons will strive to preserve it for the sake of stability. The State patrons are there to provide necessary guidance and logistic support to make life better for the veterans."

Community petitions LGA over mismanagement of N1.03million
NNAMDI ENE
Deck: The money was allegedly mismanaged by those the LGA awarded a school rehabilitation contract to

The Local Government Education Authority of Ivo Local Government, Ebonyi State has been petitioned by the Akaeze community over an alleged misappropriation of N1.03 million Universal Basic Education funds released to the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and a teacher of Iyioji Primary school Umulu/Amudara for the rehabilitation of a five-classroom block.

In a petition signed by the community chairman, Pastor Emmanuel Daniel, and five others they said the embezzlement was threatening the peace of the community as people have sworn not to allow peace reign if the money is not recovered from the accused persons.

According to Daniel, the community had risen in protest against the accused persons for their action and written series of petitions to the school authority and the state government but was not satisfied with the transfer of the teacher from the school.

The chairman of the community said that the people are determined to recover their hard earned money and the material from the persons.

The teacher, one Abel Ajali, was accused of using used zincs instead of new ones for the roofing, and also selling the wood provided by the community for the roofing of the school.

Ajali, who has been redeployed by the school authority to another school, however declined to comment on the allegation.

“I work directly with the Local Government Education Authority. I am not in any position to answer your question, I will rather advise you see the school authority that asked me to do the job, and they will tell you what happened,” he said.

The PTA Chairman, on his part, said he was not involved in the disbursement of the fund, arguing that it was the teacher of the school that was the treasurer and contractor.

“I don’t even look into the finances of the project; it is the teachers that are the treasurer and contractor. They are responsible for the day to day running of the project, and even when the account of the project was presented before the community, nowhere was I mentioned even as they are accusing me of embezzling their money,” the Chairman explained.